Kilchoman whisky – Islay

Kilchoman Distillery information

The Kilchoman Distillery

The newest operating distillery on Islay (Gartbreck being constructed at the moment), Kilchoman was established in 2005 as a micro distillery. Traditional distilling took place on farms, and Kilchoman sticks to that tradition, as their distillery was set up in Rockside Farm, which has a reputation for high quality barley, and its buildings were suitable for setting up a distillery. The first spirit was distilled in 2005, and became available in 2008 (at 3 Years Old, the minimum legal age for Scottish whisky). The distillery prides itself on doing all the work required for creating their whisky themselves, on-site where possible, and otherwise locally on Islay (Thus leading to Kilchoman referring to their whisky as being “100% Islay”). Of the barley used, for example, 30% is sourced at the farm, while the rest is bought from the Port Ellen maltings.

The stillhouse at the Killchoman distillery.

The distillery is run by a team of 4, under supervision of Kilchoman Distillery Co. Ltd’s director and founder Anthony Wills. Wills had been involved in the whisky business before, as an independent bottler.

Kilchoman whisky

Like most Islay whiskies, peat is extensively used at Kilchoman. Due to the young age, the range of whiskies available is limited, though at this moment, the core whiskies consists of:

Machier Bay; bottled once a year, each year will see the addition of progressive years. The whisky is matured in a combination of Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks.

100% Islay; less peaty than its siblings, the 100% Islay is bottled at 50% ABV.

Loch Gorm; Fully matured in ex-Sherry casks, Loch Gorm takes its name from the nearby loch of the same name, that is famous for its peaty waters.

Vintage releases; matured exclusively in Bourbon casks.

Single Cask releases are done throughout the year, and are bottled at cask strength.